Akadot: Your previous work, Perfect Blue was quite popular in the United States. How did you feel about that?

Satoshi Kon: I didn't know that it was popular in America and had no knowledge of what kind of reaction or impressions Americans had to this film. I also do not know how many tapes or DVDs were sold. Since I have not heard any criticism of this film, I cannot really say.

Akadot: Really? Perfect Blue is really popular in the United States. When working on Millennium Actress, did you think about the international market?

S.K.: Not really. Since Perfect Blue was shown at various film festivals, of course, I considered that Millennium Actress may also be shown overseas as well. However, the idea that it may or may not be shown overseas did not affect it. Although, the movie has been brought overseas, the movie revolves a lot about Japanese things. I didn't think that I needed to make the film easy for the international audience to understand.

At the time of Perfect Blue, the Japanese audience did not really understand the complications and circumstances surrounding a second level (not-so-popular) idol star. Of course, that is the same situation for an overseas audience as well. Conversely, I thought the attitude of making the film for an overseas audience will not necessarily attract an international audience. It's intentional in that sense. That's why I had the idea that it has the ability to attract an audience by using things that are not familiar with Japanese young people or an international audience.

Although Millennium Actress was shown in film festivals in Canada and South Korea, I do not think all audience reaction can be measured by that. Those who come to view the film may differ from ordinary visitors. Whether Millennium Actress is a success or a failure, it will not be known until the release comes out and what the reaction to the film is.

Akadot: Do you mean that even though it is popular with anime fans, ordinary fans may not understand the story?

S.K.: Well, my work is likely to be hard for Japanese animation fans to understand.

Akadot: Why?

S.K.: I don't know, but I wish I knew even though I didn't make the film for anime fans specifically. I'm merely making a film, which I would like to see. Of course, I want the hardcore anime fans to enjoy my film, but I don't hear anything from the hardcore anime fans about my work or directing. There are animation fans that are passionate about this film, but I heard that the hardcore anime fans avoid this work.

Akadot: Do you have any thoughts or comments about Millennium Actress being released in America?

S.K.: Thoughts? I might be able to comment after the film opens and there is reaction to the film. Since the film is slightly conspicuous in Japan, it's not rare to be released in America now. However, this film being released in America by Dream Works was a surprise to me. Because of this, I consider the relationship between Japan and overseas is becoming closer.

Last December, there was a film event in Paris, which many came and were introduced to Japanese anime. Even though lots of people came, Japanese anime is still rare there. The main reason people came to see the movies is because of curiosity. I think that I shouldn't get carried away only because the movie is released overseas.

Akadot: Did you have some sort of inspiration when creating Millennium Actress?

S.K.: Even though I look for inspiration, I cannot receive it. Moreover, if you see movies or read books, inspiration does not necessarily happen under that influence. All the movies I've watched, books I've read, or experiences I've had until now combine, and inspiration appears suddenly. I can't really answer where I get inspiration, but I wish I knew.

Akadot: Do you have any messages to the American audience?

S.K.: Make watching Millennium Actress just your own experience. Although I said things about the movie in this interview, your ideas about the movie may have changed. People may think this is the "right way" or "wrong way" to watch the film. But instead, please watch the movie purely, meaning without being influenced from outside factors.

Akadot: So you mean, the viewer should watch for themselves without any biases?

S.K.: Right. There is no right or wrong way of understanding the film. It is your Millennium Actress.

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